2
"And then," I continued, "I ran out of the club and went to the alleyway next to it to clear my head and get my mind straight. I was infuriated. Nothing like this had happened before and I hated being treated and touched like that by a stranger."
"I know, mermaid," she comforted me with light strokes to my arm.
"Then he came behind me with two huge men. He said that I couldn't run from him and that I'd pay for what I did inside. I was extremely confused and didn't know what to do and that's when he told his men to grab me. I started to cry out of fear. I tried getting away but their grip was too strong. Astor then walked towards me and started undoing his pants. I panicked and kneed him in his groin. The men that held me released their hold to help him. I saw my chance and bolted but someone grabbed me and threw me hard against the wall due to which I passed out. And when I woke up a while later, I found blo... blood around my inner thighs."
"My baby," she pulled me into her chest again. "Why didn't you wake me up when you got home last night?"
"You were sleeping and I didn't want to bother you."
"You never bother me, mermaid." I witnessed her expression change from sadness to anger, her cheeks flushed. "I will kill that bastard," she spat. "I'm calling the police." I just nodded and continued to stare into my lap.
"Many rape cases are unreported and you're not going to be one of them." She lifted my chin up slowly with her index finger, gazing into my teary eyes. "You're my strong little mermaid and I'm going to put that bastard behind bars," she said while caressing my cheek.
"I agree with her." A voice called out from the doorway. Me and Aunt Wendy shot our eyes towards the door to find Sophie with tears in her eyes and a sympathetic smile on her face. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you guys." Taking quick steps, she darted, putting her arms around me. "I'm so sorry. I'm such a shitty best friend. I shouldn't have let him take you. If I wasn't too occupied with that motherfucker's brother, I would have been by your side the entire night. It's all my fault." She continued to cry.
"It's not your fault. I shouldn't have even talked to him." I said frowning and wiping away my tears. "What happened after I was... missing anyways?" I inquired as she pulled away.
"Astor came back in with dirt on his pants and whispered something into his brother's ear. Alicio was just like 'what the fuck' after Astor told him something and nudged him hard in the chest. He then told me that he had to leave and they both departed without saying anything else. Then, I started looking for you but I couldn't find you. I tried calling and texting but no reply. I sat there for an hour waiting for you so I decided to text your Aunt but then I saw you walking towards me with dirt and runny mascara. I realized something was wrong but you didn't want to talk, so I didn't push too hard. If I hadn't come here right now to return the clothes you left at my apartment, I would have never known about this unless you told me." Another tear rolled down her cheek. "I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault." I furrowed my brows and looked at her. "Well, I need to take a shower. I feel disgusting."
"Yea. Of course," said Aunt Wendy. "And I'll call the police while you're in there."
"Let me do the honors," Sophie said.
I sat in the shower for a long time thinking about everything. A lot of thinking. I will put that bastard behind the bars no matter what. He ripped away my innocence and dignity. I'm sure as hell not going to let him get away with it. I might not be the only person he would have raped. Strongly and bravely, I'll fight back.
"Hey! You okay? The officer is here. He wants to talk to you," said Aunt Wendy, knocking on the door.
"Yea, I'll be down in a minute," I retorted, getting out of the shower and wrapping myself in a gray towel.
"Okay, mermaid!"
I wiped myself dry and wore a purple fuzzy pajama with a black tank top. My eyes fell on the the gift that Aunt Wendy had given me as I was about to walk down. Unwrapping it slowly, I discovered a box and opened it up to find a small heart shaped locket. My mother's locket. Tears burnt my eyes once again. She wasn't here when I needed her the most. What would she say if she saw me like this now? So broken and terrified.
Aunt Wendy did an amazing job with me and my twin brother, Ashton after our parents passed away in a car wreck when we were just eleven. She had just turned twenty-one and gotten out of college with her degree when she got the news. Instead of going out and starting a fresh new life, she was swarmed by a tsunami of responsibilities of me and Ashton because she was the closest to kin.
She didn't mind taking care of us, in fact she loved us more than anything. Moving back to Queens from California, she raised us as her own. She never let us feel the absence of our parents due to which she never had anyone in her life. Now that we were older and much more independent, I hoped she'd consider a good man.
Unloading this disgusting event on her, I felt like I pulled her back more instead of letting go. This was one of the reasons I didn't want her to know. She had done so much already. It was my time to lift that burden from her shoulders, not pour some more. Being only ten years older than us, she was our friend and mother in one. I couldn't ask for anyone else.
I clicked the locket open to find a picture of my parents on each side. Oh God! I missed them so much right now. I don't know how I'm supposed to live with this. Hopefully, by each day that passes by, I'd feel better. Hopefully.
Reluctantly, I went down to find the officer sitting on a recliner with a cup of coffee in his hands. Soph and Aunt Wendy were on the huge sofa opposite him.